Obama stumps for minimum wage

Mar. 5, 2014
|

President Obama / Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

President Obama followed up the release of his proposed budget by making another plea Wednesday for an increase in the minimum wage.

"This is good for business -- it is good for America," Obama said during a campaign-style speech at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Conn.

Obama, who signed an executive order this year raising the minimum wage for federal contract workers, called on Congress to follow through for all workers nationwide. He backs a plan that would escalate the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $10.10 an hour.

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and other Republicans say a minimum wage hike would dissuade businesses from hiring more people.

The higher minimum wage would "destroy jobs for people who need them the most," said Boehner spokesman Brendan Buck. "When folks are still struggling to find work in this economy, why would we make that any harder?"

Obama mocked the Republicans for opposing his plan, suggesting that some do so because he supports it.

"Maybe I should say I oppose raising the minimum wage and they'd be for it," Obama said.

Noting that many states have already increased their minimum wage, Obama was joined by four New England governors who support the idea at the federal level: Dan Malloy of Connecticut, Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island and Peter Shumlin of Vermont.

Joked Obama: "It's like the Justice League of Governors."

Obama said little about the $3.9 trillion budget he submitted to Congress on Tuesday, a plan that calls for new spending for education, infrastructure and job training, while raising taxes on wealthier Americans.

Congressional Republicans say Obama's budget will never pass. The GOP wants lower taxes and less regulation.

After the speech in Connecticut, Obama headed to Boston for fundraisers sponsored by the Democratic National Committee.